Leadership Zig-Zag

Sometimes it's not about making the right decision, but just making a decision at all

Fire leaders are faced with dozens of decisions to make every day. Many are simple, some are complicated, and a few have more serious ramifications. Sometimes it’s not about making the right decision, but just making a decision at all. So, why do some fire leaders avoid making decisions?

Leaders in the fire service, from firefighter to fire chief, must master the ability to make good decisions quickly in order to keep the fire department moving forward. The best leaders surround themselves with people they trust and subject matter experts, so that they can get reliable information to make better decisions.

Fire leaders cannot afford to zig-zag. Learn to remain calm under pressure, trust the teams you have built, and use all of the information available to make the best decision. Oh, and sometimes having a little faith doesn’t hurt either.